SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has asked the City Council to use a $100,000 surplus in the Park Department budget to increase the maintenance of city gateways, terraces and roadsides.

The council will consider approval at its next regular meeting Monday. The meeting begins at 7 p.m., at City Hall.

Sarno said, in a prepared release, that it has been very important that the city “hold the line on expenses to balance the budget.”

“However, when an opportunity arises to provide our residents with improved quality of life services while simultaneously maintaining our fiscal responsibility, it is our duty to ensure services conducive to the needs of the city,” Sarno said.

The savings within the Parks, Buildings and Recreation budget were in various salary accounts, realized in part by staff turnover and vacancies during the fiscal year, said Timothy J. Plante, the city’s chief administrative and financial officer.

The city budget for terrace and roadside maintenance has been reduced during the past three years, Sarno said. The surplus in the Park budget is for the current fiscal year that ends June 30.

The additional $100,000 will allow the department to enhance the appearance of the city, Sarno said.

The improvements will also include repair of irrigation systems, maintenance of spray parks, and the over-seeding and general maintenance of gateways and terraces throughout the city, Sarno said.

Sarno said he knows that he and Councilor Justin Hurst have been getting calls from residents concerned about such city maintenance efforts.